Stomach disorders include conditions such as gastritis, stomach ulcers and tumors that can be non-cancerous or cancerous. Stomach diseases are commonly manifested by digestive symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation. Ginger is a herb used as a culinary spice as well as medicinal remedy, especially in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. If you suffer from a stomach disease, talk to your doctor to find out if you can benefit from using ginger.
About Ginger
Ginger, or Zingiber officinale, is an Asian native plant that is now cultivated throughout India, Australia, North America and the Caribbeans. Ginger is rich in carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and plant sterols. The key active ingredients in ginger include gingerols and shagoals. The fresh or dried rhizomes, as well as ginger-based tinctures, are used for medicinal purposes.
According to Dr. Heather Boom, PhD and co-author of " 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs", ginger is commonly used to relieve symptoms of stomach upset, including heartburn, nausea an may also protect stomach lining against ulcers and inflammation. Other indications include nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, nausea following anesthetic or anti-cancer drugs and inflammatory conditions of the joint and muscles.
Research
Ginger may help improve digestion, according to some clinical studies. A study by J. Yamahara that was published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that in animal models, supplementing the diet with dried ginger resulted in increased activity of digestive enzymes. A study by K. Platel in the January 1996 issue of "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition" found that an extract of ginger increased the secretion of the bile, thus helping digest fatty foods. In another study by J. Sertie and colleagues published in the 1992 issue of "Fitotherapia" using animal models, ginger extract significantly reduced the risk of stress-induced gastritis.
Forms & Dosage
According to Drugs.com, the dosage of ginger that was used in clinical studies for all conditions, including stomach disorders, are between 250 mg to 1 g, three to four times daily. No more than 4 g ginger should be ingested daily. Ginger tinctures are available in two forms. For stomach complaints, the weak ginger tincture should be used 1.5 ml or 3 ml three times daily, while one daily dose of strong ginger tincture should be 0.25 to 0.5 ml.
Considerations
If you have a stomach disease, talk to your health care practitioner to find out if you can benefit from talking ginger supplements. Keep in mind that ginger remedies do not replace the conventional drugs used for stomach disorders. Pregnant women should avoid ginger supplements, as the safety of this herb during pregnancy is questionable, especially if doses are higher that 1 g per day.
References
- "50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs"; Heather Bloom, Ph.D., and Michael Smith, N.D.; 2004
- Drugs.com: Ginger
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Cholagogic Effect of Ginger and Its Active Constituents; J. Yamahara, et al; January 1985
- "International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition": Influence of Dietary Spices or Their Active Principles on Digestive Enzymes; K. Platel, et al; January 1996
- "Fitoterapia": Preventive Anti-Ulcer Activity of the Rhizome Extract of Zingber Officinale; J. Sertie, et al; 1992
Member Comments